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Real Coaching. Real People. Real Results.Mon, 05 Feb 2018 14:44:30 +0000en-UShourly1http://ts2coaching.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/cropped-favicon-1-32x32.pngTS2 Coachinghttp://ts2coaching.com/wordpress
3232TS2 Athlete Inspiration-Stasia Demos-Millshttp://ts2coaching.com/wordpress/ts2-athlete-inspiration-stasia-demos-mills/
Wed, 14 Dec 2016 14:15:10 +0000http://ts2coaching.com/?p=1312She is a gem. Though actually quite new to running & endurance training, Stasia Demos Mills has much to teach us all. The transformation she has experienced in her life through the process of being committed to her training and running is absolutely inspiring. She’s a model for others of us who may be playing it safe–not quite wanting to start something we aren’t sure we can do. Stasia dreams big and takes risks. She’s got courage and heart like no one else I know. She’s the kind of person you want to be more like. Enjoy getting to know her!

Coach Michele

Piece of training gear or clothing item ou couldn’t live without
My handy TS2 visor. Provides delightful shelter from the elements and a level of desired anonymity. And, of course, the Garmin.Strange routine, quirk, or mental game you do when racing or getting ready for one:
-I sometimes imagine that there is giant who has his pointer finger in the small of my back, propelling me forward. All I have to do is make my legs work. Yes, I know this is weird.
-Occasionally, I’ll get a Sharpie and write part of Isaiah 40:31 on the back of my hand: “They shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk, and not faint.”

Favorite snack/food you eat while training:
Nun electrolyte tablets have prevented many a barf this summer & fall!

What was your entry into triathlon/endurance training:
There’s a constellation of reasons why I took the plunge with endurance training. But I have to say that the encouragement and example of Michele Prible played a vital role for me.

Over the past several years, I have seen a physical, emotional, and spiritual transformation in Michele and I know that training has played a significant part in that.

I grew up in a family of artists, musicians, and chefs. There was an abundance of joy (and crazy delicious Greek food), but no real emphasis on fitness. As a result, I never identified as an athlete and shied away from trying anything even remotely athletic out of a place of fear. I was certain that I was incapable.

But I was also curious about the joy and strength that I had seen emerge in Michele. So I asked her about it casually one day. And then I asked her about it again.

And then, one day, she basically forced me to have coffee with her because she correctly sensed a hunger in me to learn more and to extend myself in a new and different way.

She encouraged me to be brave. She shared that running had brought her joy and that it was a refuge for her during times of great pain or emotional upheaval. And this, THIS resonated with me far more than the promises of “building a better butt” or “getting ready for bikini season” or all of the dubious messages that women sometimes internalize or use as a basis for beginning training.

Why do you keep doing it?
I do it because it reminds me of the strength that is within me. I do it because it helps take away the crazy. I do it to be a good role model for my son. I do it because it makes me feel better about myself, and closer to God. (My family also demands that I share that running makes me more tolerable in general.)

Proudest accomplishment:
Truthfully? The first time I ran five miles without stopping. I burst into tears at the end. Because I never believed that this was something I could do.

What have you learned about yourself from endurance training and racing?

That I really am an athlete. That I’m stronger than I think.

Future goals… My FIRST HALF MARATHON. THIS COMING SPRING. OH MY GOSH.

Outside of running & triathlon, what is most important to you?

Truthfully, triathlon isn’t on my “most important” list yet (though it may be one day.)

Things that ARE on that list currently include:
Music. Growing things. Being outside. Curling up in a sweet-smelling bed with my husband and kid. Loving God and loving my neighbor well.

Anything else you would want the group to know about you…

I love to wear obscene amounts of red lipstick. And I always, always have chewing gum.

Our partner, Nourish2Flourish has an interesting and informative take on the ideal diet. Please enjoy this article.

There was an article recently released in the NY Times discussing how the sugar industry influenced the review of studies linking dietary habits with coronary heart disease. Not surprisingly, the sugar industry paid some of the experts to minimize links on sugar or sucrose (fructose and glucose) and push the findings to look at saturated fat as the culprit. Read More…

]]>TS2 Coaching in Triathlete Magazinehttp://ts2coaching.com/wordpress/ts2-coaching-in-triathlete-magazine/
http://ts2coaching.com/wordpress/ts2-coaching-in-triathlete-magazine/#respondThu, 11 Aug 2016 18:56:24 +0000http://ts2coaching.com/?p=1290If you’re on the comeback trail from an injury and still need to reduce the amount of impact on your body, an elliptical can be bridge back to full running and a great way to maintain some fitness. Check out the full article in the current issue of Triathlete Magazine or click here.
]]>http://ts2coaching.com/wordpress/ts2-coaching-in-triathlete-magazine/feed/0TS2 Athlete Inspiration – Tyler Childresshttp://ts2coaching.com/wordpress/ts2-athlete-inspiration-tyler-childress/
http://ts2coaching.com/wordpress/ts2-athlete-inspiration-tyler-childress/#respondFri, 20 May 2016 17:45:15 +0000http://ts2coaching.com/?p=1200

It didn’t take long for me to recognize the desire in this athlete’s eyes. With a jam packed schedule, he makes the most of it by embracing every challenge and enjoying every step. I have already learned so much from him. He has big goals, but he understands the value of the journey as it relates to the destination. Enjoy getting to know Tyler Childress!

Favorite snack/food you eat while training:

Piece of training gear or clothing item you couldn’t live without:

My Garmin 920XT. Aside from coaching, this has been the best triathlon purchase I’ve made. It does an awesome job of tracking all aspects of my swimming, biking, and running; while conveniently uploading it all to TrainingPeaks. I would go insane without this!

Strange routine, quirk, or mental game you do when racing or getting ready for one:

I have to pack my race bag perfectly two nights before the race and recheck it the night before or else I cannot sleep. It is my way of ensuring that I have everything that I need. I am probably like the majority of athletes that develop a severe case of OCD the night before a race!

What was your entry into triathlon/endurance training?

I am entering my third season of triathlon and I started around the time that I began to date my fiancée (who is a runner). I thought that I’d impress her one day and do a 5 mile run with her, and she kicked my butt, but I really enjoyed running. So my workouts transitioned from weightlifting to running, and then eventually swimming and biking. I did my first sprint triathlon in an awful time but I caught the bug! I started to spend more and more time in the pool, on the bike, and running and that hard work has definitely paid off.

After my first year of doing just sprint triathlons, I decided to step it up and do an Ironman 70.3 in Muncie and then run a full marathon in November. I had such a great time training for both races, and I know that I am endurance athlete for life!

Why do you keep doing it?

Simply because I LOVE TRIATHLON! I love the feeling after a long, hard workout, the accountability of having to wake up at 4:30 to bike before work or school, the people that I’ve met, and the new opportunities that I have waiting ahead!

Triathlon has given me a completely different view on life, given my background. I was born with four heart conditions, and have had four corrective surgeries throughout my lifetime; but am so blessed to be able to participate in the sport that I love despite being one of only eight people in the world with the conditions that I have. I love knowing that I have the ability to go out and run 20 miles, or swim 5000m despite the cards that I was dealt as a child.

Proudest accomplishment:

Though I’m always looking ahead, I would say my proudest accomplishment in racing has really been finding out who I am. It sounds cheesy, but you really have to dig deep on some difficult workouts to get through. Just knowing that I’m getting physically stronger is great, but knowing that I’m getting mentally stronger is amazing.

What have you learned about yourself from endurance training and racing?

I love to put myself through physical suffering and push my limits with each and every workout. Finding that level of pain is so rewarding when it’s all said and done because I always feel like a new athlete when it is all over.

Future goals:

-Improve each and every day leading up to Ironman Louisville

-Sub 5:20 Ironman 70.3

-Have fun with each and every workout!

Outside of triathlon, what is most important to you?

My fiancée, family, friends, and my faith. All of which have helped shape me into the person that I am today and have shows an indescribable amount of support along the way!

Anything else you would want the group to know about you.

I’m always down for a group run or group ride! If you have any question for me, always ask- I’m an open book!!

It is a great privilege to be a part of our athlete’s stories. It is a complete joy to support them, guide them, know them, and love them each step of the way. Be on the lookout on www.ts2coaching.com for more stories that will most certainly encourage, challenge, and inspire you to tell your own magnificent story in 2016 and beyond! Onward and upward!

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aspects to their highest capability. He also trains and races and understands the time demands on multisport athletes and has the ability to offer 24 hour turn around time on most bikes. 51 SS will work with you to completely align you and your bike equipment, making sure that your performance profile is optimized within the value proposition that best fits you.

If you are looking for a fit, bike maintenance, or equipment optimization, check out 51 SPEEDSHOP today!

]]>http://ts2coaching.com/wordpress/ts2-coaching-partner-announcement-51-speedshop/feed/0TS2 Athlete Inspiration-Joey Garciahttp://ts2coaching.com/wordpress/ts2-athlete-inspiration-joey-garcia/
http://ts2coaching.com/wordpress/ts2-athlete-inspiration-joey-garcia/#respondThu, 17 Mar 2016 17:56:54 +0000http://ts2coaching.com/?p=1150Determined, passionate and giving tell only part of the story of TS2 Athlete, Joey Garcia. Joey’s commitment to being a better triathlete only scratches the surface of his talents and passion for being a better person and friend. Once Joey sets his goals, he goes after them with reckless abandon and a sense of humor that just makes you smile and shake your head. He is an example of what hard work and a “never say die” attitude can do. I hope you enjoy getting to know Joey Garcia!

-Coach Todd

Favorite snack/food you eat while training:

I love salty food and preferably stuff that is mushy that I can get down easily and doesn’t sit heavy on my belly. I am an Advocare distributor so I use a lot of Advocare products.

Piece of training gear or clothing item you couldn’t live without:

My Garmin 920 XT. I love numbers, I love data and I love seeing progress and charts that track it all.

Strange routine, quirk, or mental game you do when racing or getting ready for one:

I have somewhat of an OCD thing with my gear. I will check, re-check then check the re-check just to make sure I did it right. I walk up to my transition area as if I’m coming out of the water and talk out loud to myself saying “helmet, bike, GO!” All the other stuff is already attached to my bike. I make sure the bike items are where they need to be on my bike as muscle memory takes over once I mount my sled. Then I walk up to my transition and pretend I’m coming in off the bike and say, again, out loud “shoes, grab, GO!” and make sure all items are in the correct location. I run out of T2 putting on my visor and fuel belt. I never wear socks, ever, not even during IRONMAN so I never have to waste time putting them on. I always race as if T1 and T2 are separate races and I want to be 1st overall which I have done twice!

What was your entry into triathlon/endurance training?

In 2006 I did the Eagle Creek Triathlon and when I was done I heard the MC say “For all of you that have finished, you are now TRIATHLETES!” For some reason that stuck with me and I was addicted since that moment.

Why do you keep doing it?

I keep doing it because when I train and race I feel things that I can never feel when doing any other thing in my life. I get high on the feeling and like an addict, I want that feeling, in my case of euphoria, as often as I can. I also want to promote healthy living and I love sharing my gains and helpful tips of fitness with anyone who asks. I always give 100% to the people who show up to train or learn from me.

Proudest accomplishment:

Finishing IRONMAN and having my Mother’s neck to put my finisher medal around after I crossed the finish line. My mother has done amazing things with raising all five of us Garcia chuckleheads and I want to pay her back by being positive, loving, caring and accomplished so she can be reassured that she raised a young man that appreciates her sacrifices for the many years of difficult hard work she has put in.

What have you learned about yourself from endurance training and racing?

I have truly learned what “It’s a mental game” is really about. I have wanted to quit during my IRONMAN races more than a dozen times during each however; I just keep saying to myself that I have trained and I will finish. I have learned that training and being positive forces other fitness fires to be lit in other people. I have had people come up to me and say I ran a 5K because of what you said in a Facebook post or because I saw you finished that race. I have learned that no matter the training objective that consistency and discipline go a long way in accomplishing those goals.

Future goals:

I will have a sub 5:20 – 70.3 time and to be racing in the 70-74 AG when the time comes.

Outside of triathlon, what is most important to you?

Relationships with my family, friends and always having time for fitness education when I am asked to help out a Solider, when at work, or anyone else with his or her running. I love educating people on how to improve their fitness. I rekindled my relationship with God back in early 2015 and I have been building that faith pillar back up ever since. My cat, Hubert Sorious Cumberdale XIV, is up there on the important scale as well.

Anything else you would want the group to know about you.

I love cracking jokes at every opportunity to break up situations where it is likely that you’ll be nervous or tense. I love smiles. I would also like to share that having a coach to help guide you through things and developing that relationship can change everything you think you know about being an athlete. I started using TS2 Coaching after seeing countless posts about gains with TS2 Coaching and looked into it with hesitation. I realized that having someone to answer every question I had and being held accountable makes a world of difference. Todd Shellenberger is a great athlete, coach, mentor and most importantly, a great friend.

It is a great privilege to be a part of our athlete’s stories. It is a complete joy to support them, guide them, know them, and love them each step of the way. Be on the lookout on www.ts2coaching.com for more stories that will most certainly encourage, challenge, and inspire you to tell your own magnificent story in 2016 and beyond! Onward and upward!

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]]>http://ts2coaching.com/wordpress/ts2-coaching-partner-announcement-nourish2flourish-inc/feed/0TS2 Athlete Inspiration-Amber Kortehttp://ts2coaching.com/wordpress/ts2-athlete-inspiration-amber-korte/
http://ts2coaching.com/wordpress/ts2-athlete-inspiration-amber-korte/#respondWed, 09 Mar 2016 22:58:25 +0000http://ts2coaching.com/?p=1113When I talk to my own kids about how to make sure they always have enough energy to keep going in an endurance event, I tell them they have to use SMILE POWER! Being positive can fuel you through almost any adversity in training or a race. Don’t ever forget the JOY of the pursuit. These are lessons I never have to worry about our next TS2 Athlete forgetting. This strong woman brings the joy with every step. Enjoy getting to know Amber Korte!

-Coach Nick

Favorite snack/food you eat while training:

I tend to eat payday bars on long bike rides. I’ve only done short races so I haven’t eaten in races yet.

Piece of training gear or clothing item you couldn’t live without:

I cannot run without compression socks and/or K tape. I still have achilles issues going back to my college days and these things are really helpful in giving my lower leg some extra support. Along the same lines, I love my foam roller and keep a lacrosse ball around to massage out aches and pains.

Strange routine, quirk, or mental game you do when racing or getting ready for one:

I almost always eat chocolate chip pancakes on race morning. I like to be alone before races so I can get my head in the right zone of tuned in but not over excited. Also, I get kind of mean while racing, which is totally opposite of my normal demeanor. The funniest story about this was when my husband told my brother in law to run with me for a bit during a 10K. He must have warned him about how I am. So Jay said nothing to me for the 3 or so miles he ran with me. Right as he was peeling off he yelled, “Watch your form.” It was like he was waiting until I couldn’t say/do anything back.

What was your entry into triathlon/endurance training?

I call this my racing life version 2! After running competitively in high school and college, I just slowly quit. I did do a decent half marathon in my mid 20’s, (I think it was 1:32), mainly off of the base I had built during those college years. But I was teaching full time and when I got married, I quickly became pregnant.

Michele’s story here is very similar to mine. When I was at work I felt guilty for not being with my son, I gave him every little bit of me and did nothing purely for myself. Three years later I had my daughter, and was able to take an opportunity to work part time. I was out of shape, overweight, and depressed. When I was huffing and puffing going up stairs I thought, “You are thirty years old! You are slowly going to rot away and die if you don’t do something!” I felt like this was my shot to turn things around. I did not let myself feel guilty and I slowly started working out. My goal at that time was that I would maybe have a chance to survive, if I was in the Hunger Games.

After a few month of this, my sister-in-law was hosting a 5K race. I decided I would run, and I would be happy if I could do 8 minute pace for the race. 25 minutes was my goal. I ended up running about a minute faster than that, but I couldn’t keep myself from being super upset. I ran hard, and I ran almost 6 minutes slower than my PR! I did not want to do any more running races. In the meantime, I found out about a mini triathlon at the YMCA. I was already doing spin classes and I figured swimming couldn’t be that hard. It’s pretty funny to think about. I think my longest bike was about 10 miles and I think I trained about 3 hours a week. The swim was last and I went all out on the run, so I had to do a weird side stroke with my head out of the water so I could breathe! Very awkward. It was a really small triathlon though and I ended up winning my age group, which was fun. And made me think, maybe this was something I could be decent at.

Why do you keep doing it?

In a nutshell, I love it, and it is good for me. I love racing, I never feel more alive than when I am pushing all out in that way only a race can bring out of you. It is painful, it is torture! And when you have pushed yourself to that level, you can really be proud of yourself. But more than that, you will be present in your own body. There are no intruding thoughts or distractions, only the moment that you are inhabiting.

I like training as well, it is my social time. I enjoy meeting and training with new friends, and being outside. I really feel that our bodies were made to
move. Healthy bodies are a blessing that we are given. I even enjoy training on my own, whether that means I’m on the treadmill listening to my music, running in the silence of the woods, or soaked with water during another swim workout that I’m not sure I can finish (But somehow I always finish them!) Again, for me it is about inhabiting a moment and getting out of my own mind. This may be more true for me than for others as I struggle with depression and anxiety.

I love and try to be aware of the example I am setting for my children. I can go overboard on many things, and I am working hard to lead a well-balanced life. My kids imitate everything I do! Kaylee even asked me to “pull on her leg” (traction) because it hurt. These little people are always watching, so I can ask myself, would I want them to do what I am doing? And that helps me keep things at a healthy and balanced level.

Proudest accomplishment:

I’m pretty proud of how I race. I am confident in my abilities to get the best out of myself on a given day and generally have no post-race regrets or feelings that I could have gone harder.

What have you learned about yourself from endurance training and racing?

I have learned, through my racing life both versions 1 and 2, that I am a mentally tough person. I can race above my fitness level. I can push through pain and not back down. I have learned to have patience. I have learned not to be afraid to fail. Especially with triathlon, I have learned not to be afraid to do something you aren’t good at. I have learned that some of the best friends you will ever make are your training partners. It takes your relationship with someone to another level when you aren’t afraid to try and fail in front of them.

Future goals:

My goals right now are all “process” goals. Things like, stay patient with this body of mine as it recovers from hip surgery. Fuel this body well so it can heal. Rest this body so it can heal. View every workout as a gift and don’t get impatient, don’t rush it. Work on my swim technique and strength. Improve my core strength and control. I can’t say how successful I’m being with the patience goals, but I really appreciate Coach Nick’s patience with me! Eventually I would like to put together a long injury free training run and see what I can really do in a 70.3 race.

Outside of triathlon, what is most important to you?

My family is the most important thing in my life! I also really care about being a good teacher, who connects with my students and helps them grow into confident and successful adults.

Anything else you would want the group to know about you.

Not that I can think of. I’m pretty much an open book so if anyone has questions, just ask!

It is a great privilege to be a part of our athlete’s stories. It is a complete joy to support them, guide them, know them, and love them each step of the way. Be on the lookout on www.ts2coaching.com for more stories that will most certainly encourage, challenge, and inspire you to tell your own magnificent story in 2016 and beyond! Onward and upward!

]]>http://ts2coaching.com/wordpress/ts2-athlete-inspiration-amber-korte/feed/0TS2 Athlete Inspiration-Collette Huffmanhttp://ts2coaching.com/wordpress/ts2-athlete-inspiration-collette-huffman-2/
http://ts2coaching.com/wordpress/ts2-athlete-inspiration-collette-huffman-2/#respondThu, 25 Feb 2016 01:15:45 +0000http://ts2coaching.com/?p=1091Learning about life and running through my relationship with this TS2 athlete is a daily gift. Collette has added to my definition of what it truly means to be elite. She is humble, caring, and fiercely competitive. I’ll add one quick story. Collette and I were finishing a training run on the trails of Eagle Creek. I challenged her to finish with a bit of a race up the last hill. She didn’t seem too fond of the idea at first. I turned my head, and out of the corner of my eye I saw her rise up on her toes and put the pedal to the metal. In that moment I thought to myself that I may have bitten off more than I could chew. Enjoy getting to know Collette Huffman!

-Coach Nick

Favorite snack/food you eat while training
Because most of my workouts are 60 min or less, I don’t eat during training. I do, however, always enjoy drinking a cup (or more) of black coffee before I workout. I also like to eat something within 30 minutes of working out. I don’t eat the same thing everyday, I just try to make sure my mini-meal has a desirable ratio of protein and complex carb. For example, I like old-fashion oats with an egg mixed in, topped off with a bit of milk, cinnamon, vanilla, and brown sugar.

Piece of training gear or clothing item you couldn’t live without
I could not live without mittens in sub 50 degree weather. (I have been made fun of in many running circles for needing to wear mittens in weather where some people are still wearing shorts!) I’ve never been officially diagnosed, but I’m pretty certain that I have some degree of Raynaud’s disease, which makes my extremities very sensitive to cold weather; it’s painful when my fingers become numb!

Strange routine, quirk, or mental game you do when racing or getting ready for one
My strangest routine before a race is that I lay out all of my gear the night before a race, otherwise I cannot sleep. Other than that, I am pretty laid back in my approach to racing these days.

What was your entry into endurance training?
I officially committed to distance running when I joined the cross country team during my sophomore year of high school. I enjoyed the camaraderie of my teammates at that time, but soon found that running (cross country/track) were sports that I could really excel in. The family I grew up in was very competitive in sports, and up until this point in my life I had not found a sport that I could be one of the very best at.

Talk about your transition from competitive racing to where you are with running now.
I feel fortunate that I was able to dedicate the time I needed (a span of approximately 20 years) to test my limits as a runner. I first realized that I had
a good deal of potential when I set and achieved the goal of winning a state championship in high school. My main focus my senior year was to try to break 5:00 min in the 1600m while attempting to win the state meet. In doing so, my level of fitness surpassed even my own expectations! I ran 4:53 in the 1600m and won both the 1600m and 3200m at the state meet. Toward the end of my senior year, I was invited to two premiere national high school meets, where I won the 3200m at the Keebler Invitational and took 4th place in the 1600m at the Golden West Invitational.
At this time, I knew I was just scratching the surface on how fast I could run, and I was lucky that after facing some setbacks and challenges in my first attempt at being a college athlete, that I was able to accept a full ride track/cross country scholarship to Valparaiso University. Although I was able to set every Valparaiso distance running record from 800 to 10,000 meters, become a five-time NCAA national meet qualifier, and earn All-America honors in the indoor 3,000 meter run (1998) and the indoor mile (1999), I graduated feeling disappointed that I did not reach my goal of becoming an NCAA Champion. This unsettled feeling led me to pursue running post-collegiately.
I moved to and eventually began to train in Indianapolis as a Nike-sponsored athlete from 2000-07. I was able to represent the United States eleven times on the international stage and was a member of six IAAF World Championship teams for the U. S., three in cross country and three in track. I also competed in the 1,500 meter run at the Olympic Trials in 2000 and 2004, and I won USA titles at the 1999 USA Fall Cross Country Championships (6,000 meters), the 2001 USA Indoor National Championships (mile) and the 2001 USA National Road Championships (5,000 meters). I concluded running at a competitive level with personal bests of 2:04.08 (800 meters), 4:09.10 (1,500 meters), 4:32.02 (mile), 15:28.32 (5,000 meters) and 33:04 (10K road).

All of these stats to say that although I was able to run and compete at a very high level, it really all pales in comparison to the beauty of the process of running that I so love today. I will never run on a level that I once have, but nowadays when my shoes hit the pavement, I feel so appreciative and alive in all that running has given and continues to give me. I have many friendships that were built through running, and I am a better wife and mom when I opt to make exercise an important part of my day! I run races now for the opportunity to experience the joy of every mile up to the finish line; not just the end result. I’ve been lucky to become a part of TS2, because quite frankly, training while working, parenting, and being a wife can be difficult when trying to go it alone. I am thankful to have the accountability that I need from Coach Nick, and I am really excited to see where running takes me in my hmm…hmm..more mature years.

Why do you keep doing it?
I simply love to run! When I run, I feel a physical and spiritual synchronization that is different and special in comparison to anything else that I do. I like both running alone and running with people. When running alone, I use my time to reflect on happenings in my life. When I have a chance to run with friends, I really enjoy the time to socialize.

What is your proudest accomplishment?
This question was interesting for me to reflect on. It would seem logical that my proudest accomplishment could be qualifying for the Olympic trials, or earning a spot on a few IAAF World Teams, or maybe even being a Two-time All American in college; but the truth is that my proudest accomplishment was winning the 1600m and 3200m races my senior year of high school at the Indiana State track meet. Winning two state championship races during my senior year of high school is special to me because it was the first time that I proved to myself that I could set a challenging goal for myself and achieve it. The confidence I gained from this process eventually led me to achieving bigger things.

What have you learned about yourself from endurance training and racing?
Endurance training and racing has taught me that a person can push their body way beyond their pain threshold. Once I learned to welcome pain as part of the process, I was able to race at a level that was beyond what I previously thought was possible for me.

Future goals…
My overriding goal for my running is to stay healthy and be able to run as long as I’d like to. As for upcoming races, I am going to run the Carmel Half Marathon on April 16. If all goes well on that day, I hope to run near or under 1:30.

Outside of running, what is most important to you?

Hands down, my family is the most important thing in my life; I love them! I am also very grateful for the community I teach in at The Oaks Academy. I’ve befriended many beautiful, Godly women at TOA over the past four years and their friendships have been such a blessing to me.

It is a great privilege to be a part of our athlete’s stories. It is a complete joy to support them, guide them, know them, and love them each step of the way. Be on the lookout on www.ts2coaching.com for more stories that will most certainly encourage, challenge, and inspire you to tell your own magnificent story in 2016 and beyond! Onward and upward!

]]>http://ts2coaching.com/wordpress/ts2-athlete-inspiration-collette-huffman-2/feed/0TS2 Athlete Inspiration- Jennifer Gallant’s Storyhttp://ts2coaching.com/wordpress/ts2-athlete-jennifer-gallant/
Wed, 10 Feb 2016 14:34:18 +0000http://ts2coaching.com/?p=894Words cannot fully describe how humbled, excited, and inspired I am to be Jennistrong’s coach!! This girl is relentless, dedicated, and strong on the inside and out. The beauty she possesses and shares with the world is a gift to us all. Enjoy getting to know Jennifer Gallant!

-Coach Nick

Favorite snack/food you eat while training:

My favorite snack/food while training is pecan pie larabar and PayDay (the combination of the peanuts for salt and caramel for sugar is awesome!). I train and race using Infinit Nutrition and use these items as special treats while on long bike rides.

Piece of training gear or clothing item you couldn’t live without:

Garmin 920XT. This multisport watch is great to track all my running, biking, and swimming and all my races. It also easily syncs with Training Peaks which makes logging easier than ever. Also, LOVE my TS2 visor and my Miraculous Medal necklace that was blessed by my priest that never comes off.

Strange routine, quirk, or mental game you do when racing or getting ready for one:

I eat the same pre-race meal before every race (GF toast with mounts of almond butter, banana, and applesauce).

Thanks to Michele Prible, I have my favorite bible verses written on a piece of paper in my bike bag and read them before every race, and every time I need that extra encouragement.

What was your entry into triathlon/endurance training (i.e. Why did you take the plunge?)

I first started triathlons (sprints) to mix things up a bit from just swimming. Did my first two sprint in 2011. I did two more sprints in 2012. The main reason I raced is to try and beat my previous times and for general exercise with no real goals in mind and no “real” training.

2013 is when I got a call from Gregg to join Tri-Loco. That’s the same year I joined a masters swim team. That year I qualified for US Masters Nationals in the 50 and 100 Breaststroke. That same year I did four sprint triathlons and got better with each one. I was training more and being on a team motivated me to do better.

The end of 2013 was when I got the call that I had an extremely rare form of cervical cancer. My oncologist has only seen three cases in 30 years. My life flashed in front me as I fell to the ground and thought “I am going to die.” I never in a million years thought this could happen to me. After many tests, scans, doctor appointments, prayers, tears, and feelings of hopelessness, I realized that cancer cannot take away my heart or soul and I am going to fight for my life, because I am worth it. After a four hour surgical radical hysterectomy, removal of 16 lymph nodes, and a large amount of surrounding tissue, I was clear, the cancer didn’t spread. That day was the day that I told myself I would live my life with no regrets and do the things that make me feel happy to be alive, which included triathlon.

Life after cancer is something people don’t always think about. The hardest part was not the diagnosis but life in remission. As someone who is not just active in sports but also proactive, I have found it difficult to rebuild my life in the aftermath of my diagnosis. I am extremely lucky to be in remission but that does not make me cancer free. Two years after treatment, I still struggle with the side effects of my surgery to remove cancer. Fatigue, unpredictable bowels, menopause, and heartbreaking infertility. I lost my confidence too that I still work on daily. In a life before cancer I used to rely on sport as my outlet. It was not only enjoyable and sociable but an efficient stress reliever. Yes, I am cancer free but the fear of cancer recurrence never goes away. Now I get scanned and checked every six months and the weeks before and after are very hard. Will they find anything this time? Did the cancer find its way somewhere else in my body? Yes, I wish this has never happened to me but it has opened my eyes to how precious life is and how important it is to enjoy every day. My parents always tell me “You are an inspiration, you were given this life because you are strong enough to live it.” One of my missions in life is not just to survive, but to thrive and to do it with passion.

Why do you keep doing it? (What keeps you at it?)

A lot of things keep me going that is hard to describe and explain but what keeps me going the most is wanting to be the best role model for my nieces Hailey, McKenzie, Gracie, and my nephew Gavyn. I want them to look up to me and know that if you believe in yourself anything is possible. I want them to know that having cancer or any other life changing event doesn’t change who you are as a person. I want them to know that it’s acceptable to find time for the things that make you feel happy to be alive. They are my motivation.

Being a cancer survivor also keeps me going. Cancer took a lot from me, including the ability to have my own children and other side effects I deal with daily, but it’s extremely important to me to live a healthy lifestyle which includes exercise, sleep, stress management, and nutrition.

Proudest accomplishment:

My proudest triathlon accomplishment is completing Muncie 70.3. Nick fully prepared me for this race and I had a blast knowing I was prepared and felt great the whole race.

What have you learned about yourself from endurance training and racing?

I have learned to always find the time to do the things that make me feel happy to be alive.

Training the TS2 way, I learned that not every workout is going to be great but if you stay consistent and stay the course, you will 100% be prepared and ready when you step on that start line.

Future Goals:

My 2016 triathlon goals are:

Complete my first Ironman distance in Louisville

5:45 goal time in Muncie 70.3

Work hard and stay consistent with my daily training

Outside of triathlon, what is most important to you?

Family

Continually working on self-growth and adding more simplicity to my life

Anything else you would want the group to know about you.

I first need to give a special thanks to the man behind all this, Nick. There aren’t enough adjectives in the world to describe what I think of him; impressive, inspirational, motivational, caring, supportive, the list goes on and on. I am so blessed to be a part of TS2 and I cherish it from the bottom of my heart. I am appreciative for the progress, grateful for all inspiring messages and words Nick gives me on a regular basis, and for this amazing opportunity to be trained by the best. He has instilled in me what working hard toward a goal can do and for that I am forever indebted! Thank you Nick, you have changed my life.

I am a huge essential oil (Doterra) lover so if you are interested in oils becoming part of your daily life come find me.

It is a great privilege to be a part of our athlete’s stories. It is a complete joy to support them, guide them, know them, and love them each step of the way. Be on the look out on www.ts2coaching.com for more stories that will most certainly encourage, challenge, and inspire you to tell your own magnificent story in 2016 and beyond! Onward and upward!